9.10.7.1 Measurement accuracy example
The following example illustrates the effect percent-of-reading and offset have on measurement
accuracy. The effect of offset is usually negligible on large signals.
Example:
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Sensor-signal voltage: approximately 1050 mV
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CRBasic measurement instruction:
VoltDiff()
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Programmed input-voltage range (
Range
) : mV 5000 (±5000 mV)
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Input measurement reversal (
RevDiff
): True
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Data logger circuitry temperature: 10° C
Accuracy of the measurement is calculated as follows:
accuracy = percent-of-r offset
where
percent-of-reading = 1050 mV • ±0.04%
=±0.42 mV
and
offset = 5 µV
Therefore,
accuracy = ±(0.42 mV + 5 µV) = ±0.425 mV
9.10.8 Minimizing offset voltages
Voltage offset can be the source of significant error. For example, an offset of 3 μV on a 2500 mV
signal causes an error of only 0.00012%, but the same offset on a 0.25 mV signal causes an error
of 1.2%. Measurement offset voltages are unavoidable, but can be minimized. Offset voltages
originate with:
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Ground currents (see
Minimizing ground potential differences
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Seebeck effect
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Residual voltage from a previous measurement
Remedies include:
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Connecting power grounds to power ground terminals (G).
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Using input reversal (
RevDiff = True
) with differential measurements.
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Automatic offset compensation for differential measurements when
RevDiff = False
.
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Automatic offset compensation for single-ended measurements when
MeasOff =
False
.
9. Tips and troubleshooting
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